Used for

Swab description

Instruction

Bacteria & PCR

Culture for aerobes and anaerobes (including gonococcus)  from any site - throat, wound, HVS, ECS etc. Swab can also be used for Chlamydia and gonorrhoeae PCR.

Blue top plastic shaft swab with amies transport media

After collection, place blue top swab into the transport media†.  Discard white cap.

Store at room temperature.

Needs to be processed within 12-18 hours

Bacteria & PCR

Nasopharangeal culture for Bordetella pertussis. And culture from any site for aerobes and anaerobes. This swab is useful for accessing sinuses etc. This swab can also be used for PCR testing.

Blue top flexible wire shaft swab with amies transport media

After collection, place swab into the transport media†. Discard white cap.

Store at room temperature.

Needs to be processed within 12-18 hours

PCR

Preferred swab for Chlamydia and gonorrhoeae PCR. The flexible shaft is useful for accessing sinuses, urethra, conjunctiva etc. Consider sending a first void urine for Chlamydia PCR. This swab can also be used for Herpes & Bordetella virus PCR.

Orange top, aluminium shaft swab

no transport media

After collection, place the swab into the empty tube.

Store at room temperature.

Needs to be processed within 2-3 days

Viruses & PCR

Viral culture from any site. This swab can also be used for PCR testing.

Green top, plastic shaft with foam containing liquid viral transport media

Use green top plastic shaft swab to collect sample and place in the tube containing viral transport media. Discard the white cap.

Store at 2‑8^oC.